'You don't need research to know NDC is likely to win; there's nothing strange about your survey'

Prof. Smart Sarpong

Senior Researcher, Professor Smart Sarpong, has reacted to the latest study by Fitch Solutions regarding the country’s elections in December this year.

The Professor has also called for Ghana to empower and equip local researchers to conduct reliable surveys, highlighting the importance of homegrown data collection and analysis.

His remarks follow a study by Fitch Solutions, which suggests that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is likely to win this year's general elections.

The London-based research firm attributed the NDC's electoral chances to the economic challenges currently facing Ghanaians.

"We believe that the opposition NDC has a stronger chance of winning the upcoming general elections compared to the ruling NPP. Recent polls consistently place the NDC ahead, with the most recent survey showing 54% of respondents favoring the NDC," stated Mike Kruiniger, Associate Director, Country Risk at Fitch Solutions.

He added that “economic management and job creation are the most important issues for voters, which may disadvantage the ruling NPP given the recent economic difficulties.”

Discussing the survey on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Prof. Smart Sarpong remarked that there is nothing particularly unique about Fitch Solutions' findings.

"As for NDC likely to win, you don’t even need research to say that. What would be strange is if somebody says maybe the Ghana Freedom Movement is likely to win... The same way if any study comes and says NPP is likely to win, how’s this one discovery?" he said.

While he does not disprove Fitch Solutions' findings, Professor Sarpong stressed the need for Ghana to reduce its reliance on foreign research reports, advocating for stronger support for local research institutions.

"Let’s not over-depend on them because sometimes, you see geopolitics is such that everyone and his interest even over your country," he emphasized.

He further appealed for greater support, stating, "let’s strengthen our local research institutions."